Posts with the tag “week-23”

1 Kings 15:16-24; 16:1-17:7; 2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19.  “Cost of Success” “If you just ignored your family you would have time to get it all done.”As I thought about this comment my wife jokingly made to me as we talked about the disheveled state of our van, I realized that she was right.  I could accomplish a lot more in life by ignoring all of the people that I cared the most about.  And in reali...  Read More

1 Kings 13:1-15:15, 25-34; 2 Chronicles 11:18-15:19. “Simplicity is not Guaranteed” We have been thinking some this week about the connection between obediently following God and living a simple life.  While it is true that our own sin often complicates life, it is not the only reason why life can be difficult and complicated.  It is no small thing to live a simple life that results from making w...  Read More

Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14; 1 Kings 12:1-33; 2 Chronicles 10:1-11:17.  “Honor God in Your Youth” I have a problem.  You may very well have the same problem.  I often find myself thinking that it will be easier to honor God and make Him more of a priority in my life down the road.  If I can just survive until some day in the future, life will be better and easier, right?  Not necessarily.The older I g...  Read More

Ecclesiastes 7:1-11: 6.  “The Best Things in Life are Free” Have you ever had a chance to sit on the beach and enjoy the sunset?  Another sight that I really enjoy is to watch the sunrise over the alfalfa fields of the high desert in the fall with the cool air of a frosty morning surrounding me.  Of course, these sights pale in comparison to that of my young daughter’s smile.In writing Ecclesiaste...  Read More

Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:12.  “Man in the Mirror” The book of Ecclesiastes is filled with numerous observations about how life tends to work in general.  Written by Solomon towards the end of his life, it is a reflection on much of what he has learned.  Solomon lived a far from simple life and, in this book, he recounts some of his attempts to enjoy life.Why does life have to be so complicated?  The ma...  Read More

1 Kings 11:1-43; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.  “Simple Faith” Solomon inherited a peaceful kingdom from his father David.  Early in his reign Solomon and his people enjoyed living in peace (1 Kings 4:24-25).  In all his wisdom, Solomon did not realize that the success of his Kingdom and the peace that he and his people enjoyed was dependent upon his obedience to the Lord.  As we read...  Read More

Song of Songs 1-8.  “Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth” The theme for this week is simplicity.  This concept is brought out especially in the book of Ecclesiastes.  We are not looking at simplicity as the ultimate goal of life during this week, for bringing pleasure to God is our greatest purpose.  Rather, we are studying and thinking about simplicity because of the many connections that exist bet...  Read More